STFC Legends Of '69 DVD

Swindon Town are currently looking into the possiblity of converting the VHS Video of the club`s 1969 League Cup Final victory over Arsenal that is currently on sale in the STFC Superstore 'The Legends of 69' onto DVD. We anticipate that this would retail at £9.99.

We have had a number of enquries for a DVD version of the club`s finest hour, but in order to formalise the process could anyone interested in pre-ordering a copy email their details to chris@swindontownfc.co.uk No deposits are required at this stage.

Background to the 1969 League Cup Final

Pre-match

First Division Arsenal had lost the previous season to Leeds United in the 1968 League Cup Final, and were aiming to do better in their second successive appearance. Swindon Town on the other hand were considered the underdogs, being two divisions below Arsenal in the Third Division, and were appearing in their first League Cup Final and indeed their first match at Wembley.

The match

Arsenal began the game by putting Swindon's defence under heavy pressure early on, resulting in a series of early corners as Arsenal attempted to finish the game quickly. The game developed into a one-way affair. However, the first goal came from Swindon in the 35th minute, against the run of play, scored by Roger Smart. A mixup between defender Ian Ure and goalkeeper Bob Wilson over a backpass led to confusion in the Arsenal defence, and allowed Smart to capitalise and score. Swindon led the game at half-time.The second half was again one-sided, with Swindon's tactics being those of all-out defence in order to protect their lead. Swindon goalkeeper Peter Downsborough prevented numerous Arsenal players from scoring, including saving efforts that many believed to have been unstoppable from Jon Sammels and Bob McNab.

Until the 86th minute, it seemed that a great football upset was sure to occur; however Swindon goalkeeper Downsborough tried to claim a ball and fumbled, allowing Bobby Gould to equalise with a header and take the game into extra time.

Swindon dominated extra time, with the heavy pitch tiring the opposition. A header from Smart rebounded off of the post after beating the Arsenal goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, Don Rogers became a Swindon hero just before the first period of extra time was over; Arsenal failed to clear the corner and in the resulting goalmouth melée Rogers coolly controlled the loose ball and fired it from close range into the net.

Arsenal responded by changing to all out attack during the second period. However, Ure lost the ball in the Swindon half to Smart, and Arsenal were caught on the counter-attack by a long ball from Smart to Rogers who, receiving the ball midway between the halfway line and Arsenal's penalty area, ran unopposed all the way, rounded Wilson and sealed victory for Swindon in the 109th minute.

Post-match

Swindon Town returned to Wiltshire to a heroes' welcome. On Sunday 16 March 1969, a crowd of 8,000 gathered in Regent's Circus, as the players emerged onto the balcony of the Town Hall. The Mayor, Alf Brown, raised a glass to the Club and called for 'promotion' - which Swindon achieved after failing to lose any of their nine remaining matches. A draw at Rotherham United saw the Town move up into the Second Division.